Feeding Problems. . . .

Going to see the doctor is a good thing to do. At least you can rule out any medical problems (ear ache or gas/constipations). Has your baby been meeting her milestones early, by chance? I am the mother of four and have worked with many other infants. I remember one very bright infant who refused to eat unless she was placed in a Boppy Pillow and allowed to hold the bottle herself. Once we figured out what made her happy at feeding time, she was a happy little eater. Now, you daughter may not be just like this, but it is an example of how us parents/caregivers need to think outside the box and try the unbelievable. My four have all been different about what age they wanted to do what and they are siblings...you would think they would be mostly the same.
Other things to keep in mind...
1. is she really hungry...has it been long enough since her last feeding? As they get older and eat more at one setting, they can lengten their feeding schedule. She could be rooting for something to suck on and not really want the milk.
2. Does she have a pacifier... and if she does, does she spit it out? Try other distractions or activity if using a pacifier doesn't help.
3. Tried pre-feeding burp? How about midfeeing burbs? Air in the tummy can be a real bummer for a baby and putting more on top of pressure is sure to cause her to react. She could be wanting to suck for comfort from the gas, but realizing it makes it worse, just makes her mad. Being a baby is tough...really, it can be!
Anyway, just some experience to share with you...whether it helps or not. Just keep trying and hang in there. Your doctor will provide help on Monday.
P. A

1 mom found this helpful

Hello! My daughter did the exact same thing and she was diagnosed with acid reflex! She was put on medicine and I learned different ways to make her more comfortable and things got much better for us. make sure that when you go to the doctor that you suggest that. If you want to talk about it more my email is ____@____.com Luck!

She could be having problems with the type of nipple you're using or the type of formula may be giving her tummy fits. Ask the ped to suggest others. Good luck and enjoy that sweet little girl!

Hey J.,
Have you tried to change her to a different nipple. she might not like that one any more. I had to go thru alot of different binky's until we found one that my first son would like.
Good Luck I hope this works!!!

My best input would be gas/colic or teething. Hylands has pills for both.

She probably has acid reflux. That's exactly like what it sounds like. My four year old had it and it was a nightmare and all the things that your baby girl is doing is exactly what he did. I'm surprised that the nurse was stumped as this seems to be a common diagnosis these days. Call again, make an appointment and take her in. They'll probably give her a prescription for liquid Zantac. If they do, make sure you get it flavored - it really helps. Good luck and hang in there...

Hi J.,
Are you breastfeeding or formula?
If you do give her formula it could be that it doesnt sit well on her stomach. My son, who is now 27 months, had to be put on a special formula because everything we tried either he wouldnt drink, or gave him a lot of gastrointestinal problems

you need to contact your daughters pediatrician these are classic signs of pyloric stenosis. she should been checked by her physiscian.
G.

Look into silent reflux (http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com/silent-reflux.php). My son had it, but we noticed it pretty much from the beginning though he wasn't put on Zantac until about 6 weeks or so. Stayed on the medicine until he was about 9 months old, some kids stay on longer. Also, I found my doctors did NOT want to help you or don't believe something is wrong if your baby is gaining weight (ours was, but it was a struggle to get a bottle down...often took a half an hour and he was never relaxed when he was eating). I finally took in a sheet that listed the symptoms of silent reflux, highlighted all the ones my son had, and demanded a prescription - especially since when I asked the doctors what the side effects were and they were almost non-existent. What could it hurt? They also set my son up to go to a "feeding specialist" for an evaluation - never needed that since after about three days on the Zantac we could tell a very noticeable difference. DON'T try over-the-counter Zantac though - you need a prescription from your pediatrician that correlates to your baby's age/weight. Good luck!
PS - If she does have reflux, you may want to research mixing cereal in with her formula - the theory is that it thickens it and is less likely to come up. Dr. Brown's makes specefic nipples for doing so(Y-cut, sold at Babies-R-Us). Some folks are adamant that this is horrible and dangerous, so ask your pediatrician, trusted friends/family, research, etc. to see what you think. If you do decide to feed her cereal, or, mix in bottle - ask your doctor about Oatmeal Cereal, instead of Rice. It doesn't constipate and bloat the child like Rice, and is actually easier on their digestive system.

Could be that she has developed an allergy or sensitivity to her formula and needs a change - I'd talk to the Dr. bet he will recommend a change.

Of course checking with the doctor is a good idea, but I agree it sounds like gas. Try Mylicon drops before each bottle (they don't work as well after a feeding). You can also try formulas that are easier to digest like allimentum or nutramagen (spelling?). My daughter did the same thing and the formula switch with gas drops worked perfectly.
Also, is she constipated? This will make eating uncomfortable for her too.
Good luck!

My first thought was gas...maybe lactose intolerant...but she just started after 3 and 1/2 months of being just fine so now I think it sounds like she's teething. The sucking probably makes her gums hurt worse. And the behavior is exactly like my 14 month old girl's when she's teething. She's pretty much the perfect kid...until she starts teething. Sounds just like her. My daughter's appetite is also severly decreased when she is teething - so consider it as a possibility.

maybe she's having gum soreness....teeth may be wanting to erupt, but sucking can cause some discomfort.....good luck at the drs office.

I had the same problem with my daughter, I was nursing at the time and I thought maybe the milk wasn't coming out fast enough so I would try a bottle and it was still really the same issue. She would only eat between 14-18 oz a day. Still to this day... she is 11 months old now... she is just not a big drinker but she is healthy and gains weight fine. Your baby just may not be the "normal" child when it comes to the amount of formula they need. As long as she is gaining weight she is fine. I know how stressful it is, it drove me NUTS but eventually I just let her tell me when she was hungry and fed her until she stopped (which was usually only like 2-3 ounces). I threw away so much formula from trying to feed her every few hours like a "normal" child. Just let her cue you and let her decide when and how much to eat. They really are amazing at knowing how much food they need! Good luck to you!!!

J.,

I went through the EXACT same thing with my daughter around the 3 - 4 month age. She was diagnosed with reflux and put on a prescription reflux medication called Axid. It did WONDERS! We noticed a difference in her within 2 days! She only had to be on it for a few months. We also changed her to Soy formula, (Enfamil Sobee), and she did very well with that. She is now almost 2 yrs old and does fine with milk and any dairy products. She is an excellent eater too! I would say to definitely take your daughter to a good doctor, and ask about reflux! Best of luck to you!

S. C

Yes!!! We went through the same thing with my daughter who is now 8 months. Back arching is classic sign of acid reflux (or so I've been told) My daughter was put on Zantac and then Prevacid and it did no good. She even went in for an upper GI & they found nothing. We tried all the suggestions for acid reflux, hold her upright for 30 mins after eating put a pillow under one end of the matress, etc. Try a new formula. My ped recomended Gentlease and the A.R. (it has added rice to help keep it from coming back up) My daughter was miserable until she turned 6 months old. I took her off the meds, gave her a 10 day supply of Culturel for Kids (probiotics) and started her on cereal and she was a new baby overnight. Is your daughter having diarrhea? My daughters problems ended up being a result of the Rotavirus vaccine. It's new and there are many cases of stomach issues after the vaccine. It is optional and given orally, so you should know if your daughter recieved it at her 2 month check. If she did, judge whether her issues started a couple of days after getting it. You may want to consider not giving her the other 2 doses. Hope this helps!

I was breastfeeding and found that I had to eliminate certain foods from my diet or my son would spit up his entire feeding.

If it isn't allergies, teething, or reflux, you might want to check for any sensory integration issues or oral motor development issues. (This seems less likely since she was able to suck well previously, but there may be conditions that develop after birth?) Some children can't handle the feel or texture of certain items; does she seem uncomfortable with anything else, like certain clothing? Good luck!

Hi

Get the precious little one to a GOOD Doctor
Something to worry about for sure >>
I know I had the same problem with my Daughter she is now 32 years old and she had to be checked and constant Doctor Care
She had Collic and some other problems
God Bless you and Bless your Precios baby
It will be ok !

Hugs
God Bless you and Yours

R. D.

A little About me ::::: I Knit and make the little Hats for Arnold Palmer Woman and Children Hospital >> for the New Borns also I am a
Grand-Mother >>Great Grand-Mother>> and a Mommie to all my Kids

My best guess would be either colic/tummy troubles/gas or teething.

get a chedck up for any digestion problems. If all is ok. Walk away and let her fuss. Neds must be met,but wants can be ignored

My best friends little boy did that, and started around 2-3 mths. He had a gastric reflux, and it flared up when he tried to eat. He would spit up alot, and arch his back, it was awful. He and his mommy were so miserable. It unfortunately took my friend some time to convince her pediatrician that anything was wrong. He finally sent her to a pediatric gastro-interologist(sp?).

The baby had to take drop 3 xs a day to settle his stomach b/c his acid was so bad. But he was fine after that. He just turned 1, and has been able to quit the medicine, and is the happiest little boy.

Hope this helps, good luck!

I nursed so I don't know for sure, but I think your child may have begun teething. I remember my daughter "fasting" during the day, probably because her mouth hurt while she was sucking. Then at night she'd be so hungry and tired she'd nurse a lot to make up for it.
If your child is teething, try Hyland's teething tablets or a chamomilla homeopathic. Also, for pain during the day, they like to suck on frozen washcloths. I used the little thin baby washcloths.

Check for thee problems...
~Thrush (look for white on her toung and roof of her mouth)
~Ear infection
~Is the nipple of the bottle too big? The formula could be coming out too fast and gagging her.
~Does she take a pacifier? Try to get a bottle nipple the same shape and size as her passie.
~You didn't mention, but if you are alo nursing, she could be having trouble with "nipple confusion"
~Try holding her in more of a sitting up position and squeezing her a little closer to you while holding the bottle to her mouth.
~ Ask Grandma if she is warming up Baby's bottles. If she is and your not, your baby could be rejecting the "cold" bottles. I have had this happen to one of my daycare babies.
~Maybe she is cutting teeth
Best wishes... ~C.~

Hi
Look inside her mouth. Does she have white or white spots all over her tongue and mouth? could have yeast or thrush. if so, the dr will need to know and he will give her an oral antibiotic probably. If not, then maybe it's the formula she does't like. or maybe it's too hot. Hopefully you're not heating it up in a microwave. It breaks it down and also creats hot spots in the formula. I'm of course guessing at this point. Please let us all know what the doctor thinks is the problem monday. Good luck

J.,
My daughter had similar problems. She had colic, reflux and an allergy. We ended up having to do the drops, rice in the formula to thicken the mixture to stay and satisfy her. We also had to try all types of formula untile one worked and of course it was the expensive one Almentium (sp?) the with predigested protiens or something. Everything now id fine with her no allergies not digestive problems.Hang in there and work with your doctor. Also I forgot our pediatrician recomemend Dr. Brown's Bottles. I swear by them for colic babies. they make a nipple with an X on it which is perfect for the rice and formula mixture. Just in general they are great and little expensive by worth it. Can get them at Babies R Us.
K.

My son did the same thing when he was around that age. I know that when babys are really gassy they kick their legs a lot. My peditrician recommended giving gas drops 4 times a day until he a little better. He also really liked the bottle and was a breastfed baby (the bottle was easier for him). Not sure if this helps, but hopefully something does.

that was about the same time my daughter started doing that, but i'm nursing.. it was actually around 2 1/2 months and it was reflux as well, she was put on liquid zantac three times a day and it worked wonders... now she is 9 months old and is only 1 time a day... i would definatly talk to the dr....

Do you still breast feed or did you ever breast feed? If so is her behavior the same when you do?

My mother-in-law told me that she had the most difficult time with my husband when he was a baby because she could not find a formula or milk that worked for him. It took her a while till she finally decided to give him whole milk and then he ate like a champ and began gaining weight. I am not suggesting whole milk for you and your baby just thouth it may be what she is eating. You may have already tried different formulas.

I remember whith my first I wanted daddy to have a chance to bond with her by feading her a bottle. They had the hardest time and neither one of them ever really enjoyed the experience. It was a struggle and fight the entire time and we finally gave up because it was so difficult to watch them both get so upset. I sympathise with you.

That sounds like what my little girl does when she has gas. Maybe it's the bottles..One of my friends recommended Dr. Brown's bottles & they're wonderful. They help with gas & spitting up. When we switched it helped my daughter out alot.